Rufer unruffled

Press, 7 June 1982, Page 13

Rufer unruffled

NZPA staff correspondent Marbella The New Zealand World Cup striker, Wynton Rufer, is unconcerned that his decision to sign for Zurich F.C. has provoked a row in Swiss soccer circles. Rufer, who is 19, conceded that he had broken what he termed “a gentleman’s agreement” with another Zurich club, Grasshoppers, in opting-to play for Zurich F.C. But Rufer said Zurich had made a concrete offer to himself and his elder brother, Shane, which simply was more attractive than that, of Grasshoppers. “I had signed a bit of paper for Grasshoppers saying that if I played in Switzerland, it would be for them but then a Zurich official came to New Zealand and made their offer and was ready to sign us on the spot. Grasshoppers were disappointed when I phoned them to tell them but it is a

business and Zurich made the better offer," he said. He agreed with the Zurich F.C. president, Mr Alfred Zweidler, who reacted to

Grasshoppers' threat to lodge a protest about the signing with soccer’s governing body, the F.1.F.A., by saying that Grasshoppers had made only

“a vague commitment." ' Rufer, whose father is Swiss-born, said the attraction of Zurich lay in the better opportunities to advance his career. "Grasshoppers have about 15 top players and my chances may be limited whereas Zurich have half as many top players and build their side round them,” he said. Rufer said that Zurich’s ■third place in this season's Swiss league — Grasshoppers were the winner — also guaranteed them a European campaign next year, probably in the U.E.F.A. Cup. Rufer, who came to the attention of the Swiss clubs after scoring vital goals during the final stages of New Zealand’s World Cup campaign, and his subsequent failure to gain a British work permit to play for Norwich City, said he w'as due to start his two-year contract with Zurich on Julv 10.'